Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno

Shishio Makoto's men ambush and massacre the police at Settsu Mine in Hyōgo Prefecture, signaling the start of his ruthless campaign. Saitō Hajime leads the pursuit, but Shishio reveals his ambition to conquer Japan before retreating.

Kenshin is summoned by Ōkubo Toshimichi to track Shishio, but he initially refuses the request. He relents after Seta Sōjirō murders the government official, agreeing to pursue Shishio.

Just after Kenshin leaves for Kyoto, a mysterious assailant arrives in Tokyo searching for him. The intruder beats Sanosuke along the way, signaling that Shishio's network is already hunting him.

On the road toward Kyoto, Kenshin meets Makimachi Misao, who attempts to steal his sakabato. They are interrupted when a boy reports his parents and brother were killed by Shishio's men, underscoring the danger to civilians. The encounter also foreshadows the broader conflict to come.

Kenshin defeats Shishio's men, but his identity as Hitokiri Battōsai is revealed to Misao and others. The revelation heightens the stakes as Shishio's menace becomes personal for those around him.

Kenshin is brought before Shishio, and Sōjirō Seta duels him, breaking Kenshin's sakabato. Kenshin urges the villagers and the orphaned boy not to seek revenge against Shishio's men.

Kenshin arrives in Kyoto and seeks shelter at an inn run by Kashiwazaki Nenji, known as Okina of the Oniwabanshu. Okina warns that his former pupil Aoshi has made it his life goal to kill the strongest man in Japan—Kenshin.

Kaoru decides to follow Kenshin to Kyoto, accompanied by Yahiko and Sanosuke. They join Kenshin's efforts to confront Shishio and defend the city.

Kenshin learns that Arai Shakku has died years earlier. Shakku's son Seiku gives him a twin sakabato, enabling Kenshin to face Sawagejō Chō and turn the tide against Shishio.

Kenshin defeats Sawagejō Chō using the new sakabato and, through interrogation, the government learns that Shishio plans to raze Kyoto that night. This knowledge spur allies to defend the city.

The defense of Kyoto paves the way for a confrontation with Shishio's forces. Okina challenges his former pupil Aoshi to a duel to keep him from interfering, and Okina defeats Aoshi.

Kenshin learns Shishio's true objective is to burn Tokyo, not Kyoto. He discovers Shishio's ship is set to sail for Tokyo and Kaoru has been kidnapped by Sōjirō, forcing a desperate pursuit.

During the climactic confrontation aboard Shishio's ship, Kaoru is thrown overboard. Kenshin leaps into the sea to save her but cannot locate her in the murky waters.

The film ends with Kenshin washed up on a beach, unconscious, and a mysterious man carrying him away to safety. The story leaves his fate and the battle to come unresolved.